Teaching English Learners, M.Ed.

Program Description

This program is intended to prepare educators to be successful in supporting English Learners (ELs) in a variety of school settings. As the EL population expands in schools across the nation, a growing need exists for educators who are knowledgeable and adept in designing and implementing instruction for students who do not speak English as their first language. In addition, teachers of ELs need to be skillful advocates for their students and the programs their schools need to support these students. This requires educators to be prepared to take on leadership roles among their colleagues and to work collaboratively with all stakeholders, including students, staff, families and the outside community.

Program Outcomes

1. Design and implement appropriate curriculum and instructional practices to enhance knowledge and awareness of language development and acquisition, cultural factors, ethics, and linguistic diversity issues. (III)
2. Employ academic theories, standards, and frameworks to direct the selection and integration of content and research-based instructional strategies to support learning English within a discipline. (II)
3. Promote the development of language acquisition skills by utilizing assessment instruments, critically evaluated materials, and targeting specific learning outcomes. (I)
4. Establish a culturally relevant environment by incorporating evidenced-based instructional practices and resources, materials, and technology and through the influence of social interaction. (VI)
5. Construct a framework for establishing and maintaining partnerships between the school, family, and community by advocating for academic and social growth for English learners within civic and global settings. (IV, V)
6. Conduct research to heighten understanding of issues facing new language learners, their academic and social needs, by collecting, analyzing, and evaluating instructional practices. (II)
7. Support continuous learning while fostering leadership skills through intentionally designed opportunities to engage in professional development. (VII)